Whether you’re a writer with a story to tell, want to teach literature at the college level, or want to pursue a career in publishing, our graduate programs in English can help you achieve your goals.

Our Master’s in English program is incredibly versatile. Choose a concentration that align with your interests and professional goals in literature, rhetoric and writing, or creative writing. You can optionally pursue an MFA degree after completing the MA in English in Creative Writing with an additional year of study.

Just an hour’s drive from New York City, our proximity to one of the world’s greatest publishing and literary hubs gives our students access to exceptional faculty members—as well as opportunities to attend workshops, readings, and other literary events on campus and around the region.

Literature Concentration

In the Literature concentration, students can study a broad range of literature or work closely with one or more faculty members to pursue a more narrowly focused field. Current or prospective teachers interested in broadening their knowledge of literature, those interested in careers in publishing, as well as students interested in pursuing graduate study beyond the MA will find this concentration valuable.

Rhetoric and Writing Concentration

Rhetoric is the art of crafting and examining media and texts that move and persuade others. In Monmouth University’s graduate program, students examine the rhetorical choices writers and communicators make and how they matter symbolically and materially.

The Rhetoric and Writing concentration allows students to work with published scholars and established leaders. Students also benefit from attending lectures from visiting scholars and participating in informal workshops exploring topics such as advanced graduate study, career development, thesis preparation, proposal writing, and conference presentations.

Creative Writing Concentration

Thanks to its proximity to New York City, this program attracts exceptional faculty members, recognized in their fields, who are deeply entrenched in the literary community. With their connections and expertise, they teach students the ins and outs of publishing, introduce them to industry insiders, and offer practical advice on how to maximize readership. The program offers specialized creative writing workshops and mentorships in diverse genres, as well as foundational courses in literary study and research. Students who complete the MA can continue on to the MFA, during which they will complete a polished book-length manuscript and become qualified to teach at the college level.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Option

After completing your master’s in English with a concentration in creative writing, you may choose to apply and continue on to earn your MFA in creative writing. This additional one-year, 18-credit program is ideal for eligible MA students who want to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to produce a polished book-length manuscript in your chosen genre.

The Monmouth MFA builds off the academic caliber of our master’s program, and gives students access to a rich writing community, including notable authors and publishing professionals.

Career Outcomes

After graduation, jobs for a master’s degree in English are broader than you might think. In a day where accurate messaging and original storytelling are more important than ever, you can find writing, editing, and content strategy positions in a variety of fields, from business and healthcare to research and advocacy.

An MA in English is also excellent preparation for law school and PhD programs in literature, creative writing, rhetoric, and related fields.
With an MFA in creative writing, pursue college-level teaching roles or find opportunities within the publishing industry, such with literary agencies, small presses, and author services companies.

Curriculum Requirements

Here’s what you’ll learn through this program.

MA in English Curriculum Requirements

You’ll get to choose from a wide variety of electives that match your areas of your MA in English concentration, whether it’s a specific genre/style, literary era, or literature from a specific part of the world. View full degree requirements and course descriptions for each concentration at these catalog links:

MFA in Creative Writing Curriculum Requirements

After completing the requirements for the MA in English Creative Writing concentration, eligible students take an additional 18 credits toward their Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. View full requirements and course descriptions in the graduate catalog. Here’s a sample of offerings:

Creative Nonfiction Workshop
Poetry Workshop
Fiction Workshop
Craft Seminar
Craft Intensive Seminar
Publishing Seminar
Creative Thesis Seminar

The creative writing thesis encompasses a book-length manuscript in the genre of your choice, as well as a 10-15-page critical paper analyzing comparable texts.

Application Overview & Requirements

Here’s an overview of the admissions process for our Master’s in English program:

MA in English (Literature, Rhetoric and Writing) Application Requirements & Process

To be considered for admission:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA, fifteen or more credits in literature or a related field is strongly recommended.

Your application must also include:

An application essay of 1000 words describing your interest in this program, what you hope to accomplish in the MA program, and how you think the program will fit into your academic and career goals.
Two letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors recommended; if these are unavailable, letters may be sought from current colleagues, or a current or recent supervisor.
A writing sample in the form of a paper that best represents your academic work.

MA in English Creative Writing Application Requirements & Process

To be considered for admission:

A transcript showing evidence of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA and 15 or more credits in literature or a related field. At least one course in creative writing is strongly recommended.

Your application must also include:

An application essay of 1,000 words describing your interest in creative writing, what you hope to accomplish in the MA program, and how you think the program will fit into your academic and career goals.
Two letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors recommended; if these are unavailable, letters may be sought from current colleagues, or a current or recent supervisor.
A creative writing sample: 15-20 of poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction.

MA to MFA in Creative Writing Application & Progression Requirements

To be considered for admission:

A transcript showing evidence of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA and 15 or more credits in literature or a related field. At least one course in creative writing is strongly recommended.

Your application must also include:

An application essay: 1,000 words describing your interest in creative writing, intent to continue study toward the MFA, what you hope to accomplish in the MA/MFA program, and how you think the program will fit into your academic and career goals.
A creative writing sample: 15 – 20 pages of poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction.
Two letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors recommended; if these are unavailable, letters may be sought from current colleagues, or a current or recent supervisor.

Additional MFA Admissions Requirements

Students wishing to pursue the dual degree program must have an overall graduate GPA of 3.25 at the completion of the MA in English Creative Writing program and approval from the program director to be eligible to continue into the MFA program.

For students applying to the 18-credit MFA curriculum only, Monmouth requires:

Possession of a master’s degree in English with a Creative Writing Concentration with a minimum 3.25 overall GPA

Possession of a non-creative writing master’s degree along with a Monmouth University Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing with a 3.25 overall GPA.
An application essay of 1,000 words describing your interest in creative writing, what you hope to accomplish in the program, and how you think the program will fit into your academic and career goals.
A creative writing sample: 15 – 20 pages of poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction.
Two letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors recommended; if these are unavailable, letters may be sought from current colleagues, or a current or recent supervisor.
Interview with the program director may be required.

MFA in Creative Writing Application Requirements

To be considered for admission:

Possession of a master’s degree in English with a Creative Writing Concentration with a minimum 3.25 overall GPA

Possession of a non-creative writing master’s degree along with a Monmouth University Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing with a 3.25 overall GPA.
An application essay of 1,000 words describing your interest in creative writing, what you hope to accomplish in the program, and how you think the program will fit into your academic and career goals.
A creative writing sample: 15 – 20 pages of poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction.
Two letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors recommended; if these are unavailable, letters may be sought from current colleagues, or a current or recent supervisor.
Interview with the program director may be required.

Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing

The 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing is designed to provide alumni and other English, non-creative writing students with a way to transition to the MFA in Creating Writing program.

Application Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing

To be considered for admission:

Possession of a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA.
Fifteen or more credits in literature or a related field and at least one course in creative writing are strongly recommended.
An application essay of 1,000 words describing your interest in creative writing, what you hope to accomplish in the program, and how you think the program will fit into your academic and career goals.
A creative writing sample: 15–20 pages of poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction.
Two letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors recommended; if these are unavailable, letters may be sought from current colleagues, or a current or recent supervisor.

Pathway to the MFA

Students intending to obtain the MFA degree after completion of the Graduate Creative Writing Certificate may use 3 credits of Creative Writing designated with Course Type EN.CW from their Certificate toward the 18-credit MFA. Students must apply to the MFA program before the completion of the Certificate. The 3 dual-counting credits cannot be used toward any other degree, such as the MA in English.

Why Monmouth for English & Creative Writing?

Establish Publishing Expertise

With our proximity to cultural hubs such as New York City and Philadelphia, as well as our celebrated Visiting Writers Series, we offer our students unique opportunities to build a literary community and gain pragmatic insight into how the publishing industry works.

Notable Faculty

Learn from expert educators and hone your craft with esteemed authors and publishing professionals.

Dual-Degree Option

Continue on after the MA to earn an MFA, a terminal degree that qualifies you to teach at the college level.

Shot of a garden with a large fountain in the middle, red pedals and green leaves abounding

More Affordable

There are several financial aid options to help fund your graduate degree, including student loans and graduate and research assistantships.

Graduate Student Financial Aid

Cost & Tuition

Student Opportunities & Faculty Mentorship

MA and MFA students can get involved, whether attending readings by guest authors at Monmouth’s Center for the Arts, traveling with a faculty mentor to a writing conference, or providing research assistance to nationally known writers.

Visiting Writer Series

Publishing Expertise

Testimonial

“Not only was I able to strengthen my critical thinking and research skills, but I was consistently valued and supported as a student and colleague. The faculty comprises humble and astute individuals who are authorities in their respective fields; they are always quick to provide one-on-one assistance or guide you to the appropriate next step.”
Deanna M. Venezio, MA in English Literature Concentration alumna

Testimonial

“As a full-time writing tutor at Brookdale Community College, I find that the theoretical and the practical knowledge I gained from the MA in English Rhetoric and Writing program has helped me take the tutoring job to the next level. Courses in teaching composition as well as the support of amazing faculty continue to inform my growth as a scholar and professional in this field, and as an aspiring professor.”
Leah Wasacz, M.A. in English Rhetoric and Writing Concentration, 2023

Testimonial

“The connection that I made through this assistantship is truly invaluable, and I know I’ve found a mentor who will continue to inspire me for years to come.”
Alli Long, fiction MFA student, partnered with MacArthur “Genius,” novelist and short-story writer, Karen Russell